I love watches. Love them. But . . . like clothing, they look best when they fit the wrist. They cannot be too small, especially on a large wrist . . . nor can they be too large (although, I love a man's watch on a woman's wrist). And most definitely not gaudy. Classic is best. Vintage is awesome. That's my humble take.

Completely agree with you. I wear an old Cartier with everything and to everything. I am thinking of a small Timex for more casual days. I think a giant watch is justified if you are an avid diver, or a pilot- everyone else, please abstain. And no bling, I think those gents will be sorry when they are mocked for their fashion mistakes a few years from now. Jorge from WPB

THAt guy is the man of my dreams! I just fell in Love, completely, he is just PERFECT, with or without the watch.His face, his hair, his colors, his arms, his tattoo, his outfit. He's just the man for me :)

Times have changed, a watch is simply an accessory now, and so it should be treated like one. If it doesn't fit your look, your personality or your wrist (I've seen men wear watches like we wear bangles!), then it shouldn't be worn!

I prefer a subtle, stylish watch any day over something large and attention grabbing. Smaller accessories communicate a comfortable masculinity – which I think is much more attractive than loud and brassy!

I love a good watch on a man. To me it screams, style, elegance and something sharp when a man owns a good watch. Sure, we all have phones and pods to tell us the time but a watch is a bigger statement than just telling us if we are running late. It somehow exudes classic elegance.

I don't think it is about size, but about shape. Some men look good with very large watches, but I can see why you appreciate this one. Watches are the key jewelry for men, so a "wardrobe" can be appropriate. I like the interplay of a sporty watch with a suit, or a dress watch with something casual, as you see here…..

personally i'm still greatly attracted to guys with great watches even though phones/ipods/etc have the time function already. it doesn't matter what kind of watches they are wearing (metal, vintage…) or if it's a symbol of success, as long as the watches suit them well.

i'm usually not a fan of guys who wear giant watches, although there are some who pull it off with panache. however, a lot of guys my age (24) splurge on a huge watch and treat it like some right of passage once they start work – sometimes it just comes off as obnoxious. like a shiny sporty car.

I think you nailed it – it is like a sports car for the wrist and all about "look what I can afford!" The guy I know who does this has 2 Porsches and the biggest, most expensive watch he can manage. Hum-m, overcompensation? Ew-w-w!I thought about my own reaction to the huge bags women have been carrying for how many years? They don't suit everyone, are heavy, and also sometimes are just symbols of monetary outlay. I recently got a really small purse which hangs tucked under my arm. I have to edit what I carry with me but most of the time I am really happy not be be so burdened. I never got into the enormous bags anyway because I am only 5'2''.

All gentlemen wear watches. Looking at a cell phone to find out the time is what's wrong with the world today. Buy a watch that you like and wear it. But, whatever you do, don't walk around asking other people, "do you have the time?" Because the answer is, yes, it's time for you to get a watch.

i am not impressed by big watches….however, i am in CH (land of watch-making) and i don't seem to notice this trend- perhaps i am not paying attention. i do know that most men here do have a very nice watch….however, it IS true that every man here is in love with his car, and that there certainly seems to be more extremely expensive cars here than anywhere else!!!

I'm a German girl (just for the statistics ;) and i always check shoes and watches first on a man to get a first impression. to me they are the basics. it also becomes very clear very quickly whether its about personal style (or the hobby to match) or simply showing off. no watch at all is intriguing, too.

As a female, I would say that in my personal opinion, it's not the size of the watch that matters. But a good watch – and by good I mean aesthetically pleasing – shows that the man has good taste (as do his clothes). I would never deliberately look at someone's watch in order to get an idea of their status. Status doesn't matter as much as personality!

J. said it: as the watch is simply an accessory now, it should be treated like one.I don't wear any watch as my wrist is, well, a bit unadequate (not to say small…!) for a watch to me. And I hate the sensation of something tight around my wrist – bangles, watches, handcu… oh well, no, forget the last one, this is so not me!

sart, i am happy that you noticed his watch, but that is the last thing i noticed about that guy.

he is hot!

love the hair (maybe it's the color but he just looks beautiful with it. even his beard is sexy); his tattoo is beautiful and discreet (it seems as if i would only notice it if i were sitting and having a conversation with him).

finally, i notice the watch but only because the leather compliments his coloring so perfectly.

big watch, small watch, no watch. it doesn't matter with a guy this beautiful.

i just assume that a man with a big watch is fashionable and cares a lot about his presentation to the world.

i don't wear a watch either. there are many ways of finding the time. i do not like big expensive men's wristwatches. too showy/flashy is not my style at all. so i don't want to be around someone who is flashy. it is just a device to tell time, why does it need to serve any other purpose? think we all need to get back to the idea of "simplify simplify simplify."

it's going to be interesting to see how the watch evolves over the next couple decades. i don't spot too many youngsters wearing a watch these days so i'm curious to see their interpretation of the time piece when it comes time for them to accessorize.

A good quality metallic watch which is well formed but not huge is fabulous. The big bling ones, awful, like as you say a little bit of overcompensation or trying to show off. But the watch in this picture, perfection, I'd love a watch like that.

I like subtle watches on guys – rather the 'less is more' school of thought. And, as I find male hand and wrist bones quite sexy, if the watch is too big – it takes away from that indefinable attraction.

As a female, I don't wear a watch because if something is on my wrist, I'd rather have it be statement jewelry. But my man wears a classic black, old school digatal Casio. They're only around $10, and I love it. It's small, sleek, and unfussy.

Keep it simple, simple, simple. A man should never look fussy or fussed over. Find a watch that is suited to you, your look and does what you need. Why on earth would you want to wear something gaudy and huge? I like a man to look finished and understated. A big gaudy watch turns into jewelry. I wear jewelry; my boyfriend shouldn't. Plus, you should never trust a guy with more flash than you.

Watches are definitely an accessory and should suit your personal style… that said, I think the oversized watches are overrated. I am in love with this man's watch… the leather band is beautiful and no where near gawdy.

I have never noticed a man's watch above other sartorial elements. Usually if his overall look is pleasing to my eye (clean, minimal, elegant, not fussy, not flashy), it means the watch fits into that category too.

To answer your question – yes! I'm attracted to men who wear watches. It completes the look for me – shows that a guy has taken the time (no pun intended) to think about his outfit & add an accessory. Big or small – doesn't really matter. Depends on the outfit. I don't think it should read as a symbol of success, though. It's just good, classic style.

completely agree with this. i love watches but the semiotics of them is a minefield. i'd love to wear certain brands- rolex, audemars- because i think they are great watchmakers but to wear one marks you out as a certain type of person. similarly the size of so many is a real no-no- im thinking of panerai etc.finally ive settled on a vintage omega speedmaster, a classic sleek design.

I think that an overly elaborate, gaudy watch would definitely be a bit of a turn off (like you said, it has "overcompensation" written all over it). My personal feeling is that "watch as status symbol" is just an indication of someone with their priorities out of whack.

Love the red hair and the tattoo on his forearm. Very handsome but also a little dangerous looking:0)

I think watches are sexy, mostly on men. However, you cannot just wear any watch. It must fit you, your style, and your outfit of the moment. I don't think you should or shouldn't wear a big flashy watch, as long as you like it. Dress for yourself.

To me, few things make more of a statement about a man, his past, present and his future aspirations than his watch. A classic, simple, vintage watch, lovingly cared for and allowed to carelessly slip out from underneath a cuff reveals taste, a certain devotion to grooming and frequently, an appreciation for a personal history, a memory from the past… I've always considered it a glimpse (arguably superficial and potentially completely inaccurate) into a man's personality, and I prefer quiet, understated confidence over in your face flashiness any day. Cheers for the classics!

I think more than size, the material and color of a watch says more about the man. For example, the leather band and white face of the watch above suggests that the guy is classic. He thinks about looks, but he doesn't overthink it. Guys wearing titanium watches give me the idea that they don't want to have to go pick out another watch, ever again. And, yes, oversized diamond-encrusted timepieces just look way too flashy and desperate in my opinion.

Big giant watches generally look like the guy is trying too hard. Unless it's pulled together with a great, euro look, it's a sign to "run away, run away' for me. I do also love watches in general, especially mechanical ones – got my husband a Hublot Porthole which looks sleek and interesting, while being totaly comfortable to wear.

My boyfriend wears a big metal watch, and I think it looks great on him. It is larger than the vintage watch pictured, but it is just simple steel, so it avoids gaudiness. I love the sleek vintage watches, but i think a chunkier metal watch can also have an attractive masculine aesthetic, in a different way but just as classy.

I moved to Europe ten years ago and I have always been surprised at the importance people give to watches here. They are a certain symbol of status, and until very recently, the bigger the better Now, with the 'bling-bling' culture rapidly disappearing, other alternatives are showing up. But not so long ago, you were not considered a proper man if you did not have a big ostentatious watch (e.g. Sarkozy was famous and usually mocked for his outrageous watch collection).

Keep it classy, keep it simple. Big watches aren't the first thing I think about when looking at one's level of doucheness which is, I think, what you may be eluding to? Usually it's the man jewelry and other accoutrements that kills it for me.-traci

I'm with you on the small, vintage, classic watches. The vintage military watch from JCrew is one such watch. Just so simple, so sexy. It's like it says "I'm smarter than you, but I'm not going to make a big deal about it." :)

as long as they're not too flashy and have the same wrist measure as I do… big…..though not giant… look good on men. it's not like, personally, we feel "attracted" to them…. i mean they just look good when they know how to wear them.

If you keep "classic style" in mind, you shouldn't ever go wrong.This is not to say that fashion forward can't be classic, but you have to know.That said, watches are really a man's only accessory. Leather band watches are the most versatile and best for formal wear.Big stainless steel watches, are sport watches and should either be worn in the arena they are meant for (racing, boating/yachting/) or casually with jeans. They are not versatile and shouldn't be worn with suits.

If watches are not mechanical they are not worth anything. Throw out those quartz watches men of style! The subtle and elegant pieces are "timeless." The big watches are like those big gold chains rappers used to wear. Silly and surreal.

If the big watches look like the guys are overcompensating for something else, then something inherently is a bad fit. Overall, I think the watch just needs to feel right for the man, for the outfit, for the occasion.

Men wearing large flashies and diamonds on any part of them always looks either Liberace or Thug. Trying way too hard. Sport or casual clothing looks good with large watches, even the bracelet type. Business, however, always requires something moderate. This fellow has not let anything get in the way of his healthy, well-balanced look, and the way he looks, well, a woman would not notice his watch…mission accomplished? E in Texas

As with other things (ahem) I don't necessarily believe size matters. A nice watch is simply that no matter what the size. Of course, if they have smaller wrists, the very large watches might look bizarre but at the same time, a large wrist with too small a watch would also have the same effect. It also goes with the outfit- some outfits beg for something large and attention-grabbing and other outfits demand something less ostentatious. As with all accessories, it's just gotta work overall!

i love how his watch band color matches that of his coffee drink. talk about accessorizing! as a gay man, i think big watches on men look dopey and juvenile. sadly, my boy friend thinks they're cool. he wears them all the time.

I love a watch. But agree with Scott — not oversized so that it looks like a guy is showing off or overcompensating. An attractive, well-sized watch like the one pictured helps frame a strong, attractive wrist and (hopefully) well maintained hands — even if they are work-worn. The same holds true for women.

I love the picture Scott and its a great question personally I only really have three words to say on the subject of watches, "Tag Heuer Monaco". Looks great on a Man and great on woman both Vintage and Modern at the same time.

Other than that its a great picture and its nice to see a fellow great looking red head getting some positive comments from the girls.

i personally adore leather bands on watches, can't stand big flashy watches, so tacky. And please, no diamonds on the face of a watch, horrid. there is just some comforting and lovely about a worn in leather band. perhaps this is why i recently have been wearing one of my fathers watches.

I wouldn't want to have to pull my iPhone out of my pocket to check the time. Just seems silly.

I wear a Panerai. The bigger the better. I like a big chunk of hardware. It's a beautiful, well-designed watch. And, once you've worn one, going back to anything smaller just feels like it's a ladies' watch. Even a Rolex now feels puny.

Thing is, if it fits properly, once it's on, you don't notice it. And, i'm talking about the 44mm titanium Panerai with bracelet – a pretty heavy watch. I don't, though, wear a watch when i'm at home. As soon as i get home, everything comes off: watch, ring, shoes….

Shouldn't the watch match the man's size, what he's wearing and his personal style? I collect watches and have several large watches as well as several smaller, slim watches. Any watch needs to be simple, and like any other piece of clothing, should reflect the man's taste and style sensibilities. As far as this guy goes, the watch is cool, but the rest of him isn't – an untucked shirt? Wasn't that over in 2004?!

As a woman, I love a big watch for myself, even though I have a pretty scrawny wrist, but on a guy I guess I just like a basic, fairly classic watch. I don't want to see anything with jewels, too childish, too small, and please no cheap digital thing. This guy is doing well with his watch.

I am never without a watch and prefer a classic understated watch on a man over the ginormous bling encrusted gadgets that some men are sporting…and yes one cant wonder about the overcompensation factor…..

You play to build. (Play on Proportion). i.e..a small guy like me with a overpowering watch would like like walking with a compass or flavor flav clock on my wrist. I've always been a fan of vintage watches (they are cheaper…but repairing them will equal the cost of a new watch…but Hey..its a potential asset……watch collecting is a different story).I'm an avid collector of Vintage watches (manual). Vintage Watches will be rediscovered as the 'new accessory'. Think about it, by changing the band on the watch whether it be, leather, alligator, ostrich, crocodile, or even the rayon straps (similar to the rayon/nylon belts). An interchange in bands means a newly changed/transformed watch. Or is the super sized watch a form of overcompensation, hence the newly defined midlife 1/3rd life crisis. Gas prices already taxed your pockets, so we drive less. Thus less purchasing power for that hot red sports car. But still a super sized watch is easier to hide then a new sports car from the wife. But she can spot you anywhere with that clock on your wrist.

I'm NOT a fan of big watches, because, here in Dallas, where everything is sooo big, it would not be original or cool. Big hair. Big boobies. Big sculpted fingernails. Big houses. Big SUVs. Big egos. And now big watches—usually it's a Rolex on a $30,000 millionaire.

I know. I sound mean, nasty, and bitter. So I'll sign off and take a nice pill. With chocolate.

I can't get behind not wearing a watch. There is a totally different experience in being able to look at your wrist and having to pull a phone out of your pocket (and possibly play with it to get the lights to come on).

I lost my watch in Lisbon while travelling and felt completely lost for a week. I ended up buying some cheap junk off a man on the street in florence (it was VERY hard to find something understated and not gaudy)

I happen to adore nothing more than a really big man's watch overtaking my super tiny wrist, but as for men, I prefer classic, timeless pieces on a smaller scale. Maybe I like the juxtaposition and the irony that I would never consider anything other than a big face on myself, but that I want nothing more than something small and simple for men. Hmm. What a conundrum.

I wrote about this very thing just a few weeks back on my site, the post is called: Time Is On My Side.

I do love watches and I think it's like sport car. I prefer a label from italy nd I prefer leather than metal. Cause they have various of colors in leather. And usually my watches attract people's attention and it's a good way too to start a conversation with people I've just knew who admire my watches

i was attracted to the man im with now at first because of his 1960s understated vulcain watch. elegant and masculine face with fabric band it was at once tough, utilitarian, and sensual. i much prefer a man who keeps a low profile but when you study the details they are well chosen and interesting.

A man never wearing a watch is like a woman never carrying a bag!!! I really cannot understand it. I am a collector and wear both smaller vintage pieces and larger functional watches according to what I am wearing and what activity I am partaking in. There is no "correct" watch style.

I like this guy's watch mucho. More importantly, does a man have the arms and hands to carry off a big watch? Some do, most don't. You need clearly defined MAN hands before you can carry off a big watch. Then its sexy!

I appreciate when a man takes the time to put on a nice watch. To me, it means that he cares enough about his appearance enough to add an accessory. I also think it adds a punch of sophistication in the working world.

I think it depends on proportions – if the gentleman is slim, a smaller watch face with a slim band can look elegant. A large flashy one might make that same gentleman look like a teen taking his dad's watch for a spin. Similary, a slim watch might make a plump arm look like a squeezed sausage.

I agree with you. Since I live in Southern California, I've been looking at these monstrosities for too many moons now!

Admittedly, when T was younger, the first 'real' watch I ever bought was a Breitling. Since I have a very small frame for a man of 6 feet, I looked like a little boy with his Father's watch on…. though I STILL love a big Mens watch on a stylish femme (I don't see this as much as in the early '90s).

Then I found an old '70's Timex on the ground downtown and wore it ever day until I lost it (to the next lucky winner!)…

By then, I'd narrowed my obsessive collector's personality down a bit… I was born in '67 and stick with things from that year when and where possible, including the Chevy Nova I use as a daily driver. I have a small collection (4 or 5 1967 watches) with my favorite being a stainless Rolex that I found in a "Boy's" size smaller than normal, larger than a Woman's watch. Perfect for little ol' me…

Now… with such a boom of Vintage everything… it's getting a little too 'done' for me and I have such an aversion to following suit, I'm considering not wearing any watch at all – may even just sell the car and stick to my Lambretta (Scooter).

My eyes became a camera the first time I saw him standing in line; everything surrounding him was an out of focus blurr. He was an angel, I knew, sent into my life to be my life time partner. He was the man that I had prepared for by marrying others, learning to be the best person I could ever be.

His watch was large and expensive looking with a vintage-esque silver expandable band. This was a sign that he was a photographer, the profession of my dreams. The watch reminded me of a camera I quess?

He broke my heart during a 6 month relationship: womanizer without even a camera !

I like an understated watch. There is always something about a guy with a really classy smaller watch, like he's not putting everything out on the table at once. There's something to discover later. I guess it's like women who show too much skin at once, they always look a bit over-done, but a hint of skin is sexy. Same thing.

I like men who wear minimal (and pretty minimalistic) accessories, including watches. I don't mind a watch but it needs to be unbig and unblingy and ungaudy. Vintage is good, yes. A plain white-faced black-strapped Timex is good. It's not about thebucks spent, at all. Ostentation is a big buzzkill. I like the watch on this guy but he loses me with the icky tattoo. Icky tattoos are icky.

To me, a nice watch is important. It should be subtle. I consider mine to be an heirloom. Rolex Explorer II. I wear it every day, with everything. And is should fit comfortably. Not like a bangle and not like a brace. Comfortable.

Maana at 10:14am above states the exact reason some men (including myself) wear a watch. It's become a complementary accessory as well over the years I think. As for the debate over big vs small watches, it all depends on the wearer. Chronographs are in fashion(current)-not in style(individual), and they are bigger because they hav more than one motor-not to be big, they hav other functions (I should know, work closely to watch manufacturers) I reckon that a bigger guy would wear a watch with a wider quadrant proportional to his physique vice versa for a smaller built gentleman. And I find its more practical to wear a wristwatch instead or relying on phones or mp3 players but thats a matter of choice again. I mean if you're in a business meeting do you really want to pull out your smartphone or mp3 player for the time? lol just my takeAnd I don't wear a watch to impress the ladies-its personal, serves more of an ingroup bias purpose

very cool watch — I agree with the person who said the watch should fit the wrist. I'm an American living in Italy and I think men's watches are getting too big over here. I bought a vintage women's sport watch because I couldn't find a new one that wasn't huge.

I wear an old swiss army watch (its 9 years old, had it since i was a teen), it has a dark brown strap and deep blue face. Its a masculine and subtle time piece which generally represents my personal style ;)

I think it's like any kind of accessory. One should be able to say "Wow, he (or she) looks great!" as the first thought that comes to mind, as opposed to "What the heck is that ______ !?!" in response to an accessory or make up or whatever. The whole before the parts.

I could have cared less about the watch when I saw this picture. I saw a lovely human first. Never mind that he got the drinks.

My ex and best friend wears one fairly large watch at times, but he also wears a vintage watch that was once his grandfathers. It's amazing. I wish I remember the name of the designer. I like both… big and blingy or classic and sleak. Really depends on what look he's going for and how well he's pulling it off.

I am in Silicon Valley so not the epicenter of fashion. We do get transplants from Europe and anyone with a "jumbotron" or plasma t.v. strapped to their wrist looks weird here. However, even with all the ambient time (phones, gadgets and the like), I still think men look put together with a watch. It is one of the few accessories left with the death of ties. I think a watch should express the wearer … vintage, classic, nerdy, sporty, etc. The watch type gives you insight into the person — even if it is just that day.

I'm with you, can't figure why people are still wearing watches these days.NO, ladies are not more attracted to guys with giant watches or any sort of watch at all (at least not me or my friends), but when a guy has a great one like this, it can be fun, but still totally dispensable.

Unless you are P-Diddy and are planning to break out in a rap … no giant watches, please.

Loathe giant watches on men. First of all, what are they trying to prove? Second, not elegant. ( I do love a man's vintage watch-leather band- very sexy.)Third, if he is very demonstrative and talks with his hands I am afraid of an accidental knock out.

Oh, to me big watches are just as vulgar as big logos on anything you wear. It's just a way of showing of what you can spend but some people regard that as quite cheap.So I guess you're not in that peer group. You obviously belong to the stylish, more authentic one, but that's another kind of showing of status. :-)

Watches for men are like handbags for women. It completes an outfit. A woman should never leave the house without a purse, a man shouldn't leave without his watch. A good selection of sporty to formal, and of course, there should be atleast one showstopper!

I just got a giant, wall clock like watch for myself. I got the watch because I am scheduled to take the Law School Admissions Test which has prohibited digital watches. Since, every minute is important on the LSAT, I need a watch that can be as easily seen by me on test date as it can from space. So, in other words I have to use a watch that works for my needs.

Second, a guy with a good taste in a quality timepiece is attractive not so much the fact that he wears one. I do believe some guys treat it as "symbol of success" just like they do with anything else material that they own, which is a huge red flag to me. I like men whose style generates a quiet explosion – not an atomic bomb.

A big, flashy watch on a big, flashy guy is an A ticket. My taste runs more toward the Citizen Stiletto (super thin) on a reedy, Adrian Brody-type, who will, inevitably, think he's too good for me…I'm gonna go find me a mesomorph in a freakin' huge watch.

A man can use his watch, as well as other accessories, to better define his style very much as women do with our accessories. His mood (mellow or mod), where he's going (club or office), what he's wearing all can determine if he chooses the stainless steel tank or the leather strapped Cartier. Of course, that can (and maybe the definition of person style is that it should) all be tossed out the window and he could just wear what he likes best … in that case, give me a classic, quality timepiece that can go anywhere anytime… any time.

I don't like big watches on men or women. Which is a bit of a problem for me lately (I'm a woman, by the way) because I've got to the age where I need either a big watch or to wear my reading glasses all the time. I can't even really see the hands on my watch without the glasses. I just don't see the appeal in either big watches or big handbags – they're necessary functional items and should be elegant but unobtrusive.

I'm a watch freak…I think of them as I do any accessary. You can tell alot about a person through their watch.The guy in the picture is an excample of what I'm talking about. His watch totally goes with his over all style…I sense a reoccurance of smaller watches, even sunglasses.

I have a small collection of quality watches. Thin and simple is my preference. I like that such a watch is so unobtrusive that you can forget your wearing it, until you need to know the time. I've always been anti-bling too.

I believe there's more important things than making sure your watch looks just right. Those with the big, chunky, metal watches obviously have too much time on their hands to be worrying about just that- their big, fancy watches! However, the man you photographed- his [red?] watch is fine. Seems to only add to his character/style. That's the key- Keep it simple!

IMHO…watches are conversational and situational pieces. Small and thin, big and thick, simple and complex faces abound with events and moods tied to every combination. Please don't show up at a formal dinner party with your G-Shock twerping and beeping about…gouche! On the other hand (pardon the pun), sailing with a Flava Flav timepiece swinging around one's neck could get you thrown overboard as an anchor.

i have small wrists, and a younger, 'boyish' face so whenever i wear watches that are 38-40mm in size, i look like a kid playing with dad's watches.

about a year ago i wanted to get a classic rolex datejust with oyster bracelet and silver face. however, when i put it on and looked at myself in a full length mirror all i could look at was the hunk of stainless steel hanging on my wrist. it looked like all i was trying to do was show off that i bought a rolex.

i then tried the date model which is a slightly smaller version at 34mm and it fit perfect.

i get compliments all the time, as it is vintage and i change out bands/straps all the time. it looks like a fine integral detail in my entire ensemble of an outfit as opposed to a 'look at me' piece of flash and trash. i've had people tell me they admire my sense of proportion, that i had the guts to go smaller, and that it looks like when a guy with a normal size wrists wears a regular datejust.

I'm old school. I was raised by a man who felt a man always wears a watch and is always mindful of the time. If for nothing else, to make sure you're being respectful of other people's time. And, if someone inquires as to the time a man should not have to fumble with a gadget (imho). I do, however, understand that some cats don't wear any kind of jewelry and some cats hate the way watches feel. So, that said, If you're going to wear one then simple, subtle and classy is the way to go. To that end, this cat is handlin' his biz….peace.

Hello!This is my first comment here though I visit you (and arance Doré by the way :) EVERY day. I am an European woman and I love the watch of the man in the pic, very casual, natural, simple… but I don´t like big watches for men! ( I do like a woman wearing a man´s watch)Extra bigs seem too pretentious to me.My message to men: keep watches simple or classic!

want to see the guy, not the watch. if it adds to his look, perfect. if it takes from or distracts….no.watches are jewelry and so whether expensive or not, I think meaningful is the best- my guy has a Rolex but from his parents. Class.

I like a man who has a watch, especially a man that I am interested in. It gives me a conversation starter, "Excuse me, but do you happen to have the time?" Although I do not really like men with big watches IT DOES seem a little like over-compensation.The more simple the better, it shows they care to take that extra time to put on a watch. But that they don't want to sensationalize what they wear.

Scott – did you ask him to shift his watch "downwards" so that you could capture the size of the watch better while he held on to the caffeine?My point is I tend to wear it downward a bit for small vintage watches just so that I can read the time quicker….

I can't disagree strongly enough about the idea of ditching a watch for a smartphone or whatnot. A wristwatch does more than tell time. I regard it as a classic piece of male jewelry — one of the few items that is really acceptable across the board. And the style and type of watch also express personal style. A smartphone is so sheeplike and says nothing about its owner.

To me, the mechanical watch approaches the pinnacle of timeless design. While your mobile phone will be obsolete and discarded in a few years, a fine watch has will last a lifetime. Watches are amazing and dependable pieces of machinery that require admirable craft in their manufacture. Aesthetically, different watches suit different clothes and different personalities. However; a mechanical wristwatch will always trump the disposable electronic gadget buried deep in your bag or your pocket as a measure of the time.

i love watches!! they add sooo much too an outfit….my great grandfathers watch is so special to me! also i have other nice watches.i would like to say that gaudy watches are sooooo ghetto. esp the people that be having them encrusted in diamonds and or crystals. GHETTO!!!

I feel like big watches are cumbersome and detract from the overall look. However, I can see that being one of the only "manly" accessories, making it stand out more has some appeal. However, a gaudy men's watch makes me think they will smell like Axe body spray. I like the look of a leather band on a man much better than stainless steel.

As a man, I think I would rather see one of those big chunky mens watches on ladies, instead of men. Watches are very hard to pull off in my opinion. I do like the watch on this gentleman though. You just have to be careful with the size of the watch making your hands and wrists look weird. On a side note, why would someone go to Starbucks in NYC when probably 2 feet away there are much better coffee shops that cost the same if not less? I'm so tired of the glamorization of the evil corporation that is Char-bucks. Booo.

I really like his tattoo! It has a quiet, serene tone almost like a letterpress print or a line drawing … and I like his palette with the blue-gray that complements his coloring. The tan leather strap is perfectly in tune. The watch suits him!

Solid old watches of a certain size, I love – the seiko diver's watch for example – and they don't work on everyone. But if the watch fits …

I love watches! I love BIG watches! I love them for men and women. My husband has a U Boat and although it is huge, it has a vintage feel. Black face with white numbers and a worn brown leather band. FABULOUS.

I am a male and I do not wear a watch, mainly because I have never really liked them. If I were to wear one, though, it would be medium-sized, not too big and not too small, and definitely Cartier. I am all about statement pieces, and usually the bigger the piece, the better. But too large timepieces just look plain silly. I think it is pertinent for men to remember what the watch was originally invented for: to tell the time. But now, watches have developed into a classic style item, and also a piece to advertise wealth- like many other wardrobe staples. Regardless, I think people should remember practicality over statement object when it comes to time-pieces. A mega-honking watch is just unecessary. When it comes to timepieces, the less ostentatious and showy, the more elegant. As for women and watches, nothing is sexier than a woman wearing a man's watch- that fits her wrist properly, of course.

I think it's cool that a guy wears a watch, but it doesn't have to be that way. Wearing a watch of any kind doesn't show that you're any different, but perhaps there is a small factor that shows you dress well. Usually based on my observations, only the ones who care to dress decently not even speaking about fashion wears a watch. In the end, I think a watch to a guy is like a bag to a girl.

as a watch collecting southern guy, i am quite pleased to see such a lively discussion with so many different opinions on watches. if anything, there seems to be little indifference.

i started my collection with a swatch watch several years ago, and have since changed directions several times. i bought my first vintage watch about 4 years ago; and from then on i have been hooked. the smaller proportions almost always come across as understated and elegant. the dings in the case or marks on the dial just give character. one thing that draws me to vintage watches are the details that are hardly seen: the movements. before the mid 70s, most watch manufacturers produced their own movements (or engines). there was an entire industry with legions of craftsmen who took their work seriously; and they produced an instrument that can still be accurate 50, 60, sometimes 100 years later. that is why i love to wear a vintage watch; and it is a sartorial detail that possibly only i know about. i don't wear a watch for anyone else. that said, sometimes a sport watch is the right watch for the occasion. personally, i don't own anything that is as big as a panerai; but i don't hold anything against those who do.

i think that above all, a watch is a way to accessorize for men and women….and however large or small, elegant or sporty, diamond-encrusted or simple; it tells alot about who is wearing it.

i don't care which watch you choose, but keep wearing them. an iphone is not a suitable substitute.

Rory, I'm gay as well, but I was not at all offended or disconcerted by Scott's failure to add "and gay men" to his posting. Regardless, I'll give my opinion anyway ;)! This guy is HOTT, and I must say that he definitely gives an excellent argument for a man to wear ANY size watch, because with that fantastic face and amazing physique, his wrist would be the last place I would aim my eyes.

I am not attracted to guys with large watches. Leather bands, or small vintage watches like the picture are good though. I do think it's masculine and prefer for a man to wear a watch, just not an oversized gaudy one.

I say the first rule is proportion. If most men followed this simple rule then tacky extraneous time pieces would be the exception and not the rule. As for why I wear a watch? I hate taking out my cell to check the time only to remind myself that no one has called.

OK-I certainly will show that I am 50 by saying this, but I have never understood the big watch fascination. If you are a large man, then you certainly would want one, but for the rest of us, it just looks like so much vulgar overstatement. Besides, they are impossible to wear under a tapered sleeve or shirt with a close-fitting cuff.

I don't like ostentatious watches on anyone. To me, watches are time pieces – not fashion. As a tall woman, I wear a simple, inexpensive man's Timex with a black leather strap. Cell phone displays are too hard to read. I guess my age is showing…

Watches are as much an important fixture to stylishly tell time as it would complement a man's wardrobe. Whether you view it as an accessory or a necessity, watches DO reflect your sense of style and shows us ladies what type of man you are, status symbol or not.

i like watches. i like to wear them and do notice them on men. yet, i'm not a huge fan of giant flashy watches on men (or women for that matter). if a guy is wearing a well designed watch with pretty clean and modern aesethetic than i'll definitely take notice. a classic/modern well-designed watch doesn't necessarily mean that it has to be super expensive.

I think it depends entirely on the man. I have one friend who is this huge black guy with beautiful dark skin and a very dapper style, and he (successfully) rocks a different blingy, flashy, chunky watch every day. Another friend, however, is very slim and tan and does the whole skinny thrift-store look, and every day he either wears a thin vintage Seiko or a children's Mickey Mouse watch from the 80s.

…so, that long explanation to say, I just think it's all about your look. Both are extremely attractive in my opinion if done right.

luv your blog and your work Sart…but for gods sakes…what is with the heterosexist question…why not leave it open ended…"…for the guys and those who love them. Are guys more attractive with giant watches?…" Makes it feel more inclusive all round, with even some straight bros chiming in to add richness to the dialogue…cos like women dress for other women…some of us make a sport of style checking each other…unless of course this post was meant for hets only…still luvin what you do…particularly these style notes that highlights the subtleties that make this fashion game truly democratic, playful and fun…

If a man can wear a watch with style and ease, I don't care what size it is. I know a guy who wears a watch that is almost like a cuff, but it's simple. Just white leather and a rectangular timepeice in the middle. He wears it all the time and it's like his signature; he's really made it his own. However, I'm not one for chunks of metal. There's no individuality in those watches. But really, if a man makes it work, then it really doesn't matter. I think that can be said about a lot of things.

I somehow think that watch can be for a man what the right handbag can be for a woman. It is, as you say – in this day of high tech and easily accessed time telling devices – a functional accessory. I think that it depends on the attitude/intention with which it's worn….

I definitely do find watches attractive. To me, it's got the same sentiment as wearing cufflinks, their beautiful, making a man looked dressed. I can just imagine a man going through their sartorial routine: shirt, pants jacket belt watch. Just like a woman wears her diamonds, a man wears his watch. But sometimes free hands look just as mesmerising.

I wear what some would call a large watch. But i have a large wrist. I love the simplicity of a timex expedition or an easy reader but my wrist tends to dwarf them. My Panerai, submariner is perfect (at least i think so) not too flashy, not too big, just a classic timeless design that suits me. I nylon band in the summer and a custom tanned leather band in the cooler months.

With a man like this one, I don't mind the watch, it can be big or wear no one, doesn't matter….Ohlalaaaaaaaa, this man is THE perfect one and he doesn't even look gay….. Viril,terribly sexy, simple and healso looks sweet!

Oups, sorry…. to answer your question about watches, usually I prefer something more like this gentleman is wearing, a man watch but not tooooo big!

This is a difficult one.. for myself, as a woman, I love wearing mens watches. It's about the proportions of my wrist and the watch; a big watch makes the wrist seem more elegant and delicate. but with big watches simplicity is key. no diamonds or gold, please, unless you are a rapper, maybe… Really, i believe all watches should be classic, a watch is one of those things that should stay with you for a long time, and that works with all kinds of situations. it's like your favourite jeans, converse sneakers, leather bag, RayBan aviators… those things that, when you put them on, pull the rest of your look together.

A good watch is the best jewellery that a man could wear. When a woman wear perfect earrings she seems perfect and trendy, and every man should try to wear the perfect and stylish complement. An atractive man should wear the best perfum and a beautifull watch, only this

I think wearing a big chunky metal watch is show offy. The big chunky rolex's are a major turn off. I much prefer a guy with a small vintage watch or a modern, simple watch like a black swatch watch. Something that isn't too out there is the key.

Yes, must agree – big watches are cringe worthy. It's just another example of tasteless peacocking. A nice small simple watch, like in the pic, is tasteful and elegant.Leave the big timepieces to scuba divers and pilots and other people for whom a big watch is about function, otherwise you might as well just be driving a Hummer as well.

Oh Yum! The watchband matches his hair colour, and I just bet that most gorgeous tattoo is of a chestnut horse as well. In fact who cares about the watch , gimme that tattoo on those arms over a stupid watch any day.

they often say that women tend to dress for women, not men. similarly, i think that men tend to show off their status/initiation symbols for other men. gadgets fall into this category. i can read these symbols to an extent but i'll only like them if they please my aesthetics. or i could grow to like them if they are the man's passion, independent of rivalry rites. since showy watches are not to my taste, the second may still apply.

one other thing. this man is gorgeous. when i first looked at the picture, i had no freaking idea there would be a discussion about watches following, i was just really taken in by his handsomeness. now, the question for me is: would a big watch take away from or add to the powerful impression he makes? i think it would block it to an extent. btw love the colour coordination with the watch here :)

in my opinion the chinese market destroyed much of the symbolism behind wearing a watch. Gone are the days when you could look at a Rolex Submariner and form an opinion about the gentleman proudly sporting it. now you can buy a copy for $15 bucks and every Tom, Dick and Harry can be a James Bond.

That stated, a gentleman never wears copies. And I share your enthusiasm for fine vintage watches. Currently I wear a Rolex Oyster Perpetual gold and steel. It's fine with jeans or a tuxedo. I am fiercely oblivious to fads.

The watches should fit the person,just big enough to look, i guess, manly, but still small so it didn't look overly flashy. It's like when people buy huge bright red sports cars and insist on driving them insanely fast, it looks silly, instead of classy.

Watches are about the only things a man (especially over a certain age) should wear – except perhaps a wedding or signet ring and perhaps a simple necklace or occasional braclet – delends on the man.

The basic rule (and basic rules arre good for men's dress…) is simple and slim for a suit and maybe something more for casual such as a thicker more bold timepiece.

i agree with almost all of the other poster, diamonds, precious metal, diving watches etc are vulgar and naff.

yes us euros do wear watches more I suppose, but perhaps that is just tradition; we like our witches and watchmakers – sort of a link to our craft past like proper tailors and car makers – impractical but they speak of continuity and humanity.

This fellow looks great by the way. Proper understated taste – as a man of a certain age (ie over 25) should.

good question, sart. first, i love watches, the perfect accessory in my opinion. i definitely prefer large ones, especially on women, but also on men. I don't care for flashiness, but a simple large face and minimal metal (I like leather straps) is quite charming.

It's all about stile…. the guy above looks GREAT with the small one! And some other guys with the huge…The only thing that I don't agree is that kind of person that use for "satus"…size x sucsses as u said!

I like watches and have a small collection; I prefer diving and chronographs; some are big some are smaller. I wear them on leather and rubber straps. The dials remind me of sports car instrument panels; in fact, as a child i use to call the dials in my father's Alfa Romeo 'clocks'. My ultimate favorite is the Omega Speedmaster and i challenge anyone to find it gaudy or tacky. That said, I'm surprised about all the negative comments on watches, big watches (not blingy ones – hate those) while nobody has commetned on how ugly the tattoo looks. Tattoos are vulgar not watches

I love a big watch on a man. As long as it's subtle and not flashy (a nice, simple Swiss Army, perhaps) I think there is something extremely classy, smart, elegant, sexy, and masculine about it. A guy that checks his watch is much more charming than a guy that whips out his iPhone every five minutes. I guess I'm just old-fashioned though – I haven't caught on to the iPhone craze just yet ;)

I never gave much thought to men and their watches. But I definitely don't like that bling bling style AT ALL. This guy's watch is perfectly fine, although I'm sure I would have never noticed it. Good for telling the time, which is exactly what a watch should be doin!

i'm a ladyyyyy and i think guys with huge watches are a big thumbs down. hahathere was a time when big faces were the 'it' thing, but now that technology helps us along so much that we even 'read' time digitally..

if you're going to wear a watch, i'd rather it be a statement and i don't mean by the size.

I like them big!For men and women.I am a woman and the last one I bought was a big men's watchthat I love on my thin wrist.I'm tall and slim so I think it looks nice on me!And I have to say that the watch is one of the first things I notice on men!

i am not wild about a huge watch, i think they can be worn well as an accent (my boyfriend has a low profile gold calculator watch with a stretch metal band he got a walgreens, its a great metallic accent). when i comes to status i always think of the slim deco style work by Pierce Brosnan in the Thomas Crown Affair remake, status and understated class.

Sart, if you did a version of this blog for the single and looking, I think you'd be a millionaire. Speaking for myself, I've wondered if some of the very lovely men you've photopgraphed were available.

As a guy, I have to say that I've completely stayed off the big-watch bandwagon – my brother has a Panerai that's as big as a dessert plate, and after trying it on once, I realized I could never do that. It's very Robb Report. If I do wear a watch (nowadays usually only with a suit), I wear one of my grandfathers' – I have three, 2 from one and one from the other – I was wise enough to sneak in and grab 'em!

My father purchased his Omega watch in 1952 for $35 and he has been wearing it ever since. It is a simple understated classic style with a metal band. THAT is true vintage style.BTW, I hate giant watches on men.

I think a watch is a guys best accessory. It gives a sense of movement, of purpose to anything you might wear. Guys simply look very attractive wearing watches. To answer your question- yes, big watches (the really big ones) are over the top. Its like you're trying to hard. And guys should never try too hard, it should always come naturally.

i wonder how many people who commented are from usa? i am a gringo expatriate. i've noticed that outside the usa, the watch and the shoes make the man… (ok, i'm a guy, and Sart said he wanted women's opinions, but i think i have a little perspective that can help…) leaving out the "size matters" question, i think it's interesting the different way that americans look at the watch question vs. other countries. where i live in latin america, one of the 1st signs that men doing business look for in other men is a nice watch. it's like a badge, "i'm not full of shit. i'm ok." maybe that's shallow. but, we're on a fashion blog, right?

I love watches. They are an important detail on the whole outfit. It dosn`t mean it has to be big or expensive to be the right one, just interesting… But is not only about metal. Since you wear it all day, you share with it almost everything, happy and unhappy moments, it`s a connection with your soul and reflects your spirit.

Anything too big, too shiny or trying too hard is unnattractive.Class, which is waaaaayyy sexy, is defined by how you carry yourself around. Guys have to be noticeable when right next to you, when far away they should just be like a serene prince charming…

Big flashy watches are definitely in the "trying too hard" category. They are not attractive to this woman. If I want to know your net worth I will just ask.

A well chosen, and well used smaller watch however, is very nice. It suggests, among other things, that perhaps the gentleman looks occasionally at his watch but might spend far more time paying attention to me. If you are wearing a Bluetooth or packing a Blackberry you are pretty much telegraphing a dedication to distraction. The proportions are nice aesthetically too.

I like a man with a big ol' watch on him… hehe. I think a large watch face looks very well with a leather band, and very old school classy. I think that if you are going to opt for the metal links, you should go with a smaller face. It's less imposing that way. And with a leather band, you only get a little glimmer of shininess. Too much "bling" is badbadbad.

In France (unless, where I live), most of the people think that big watches hide a lack of… masculinity or confidence.Therefore, no one is impressed by big watches. A guy like this one is so much attractive!

Big flashy watches are definitely a turn off. Leather bands with a small to medium face is good, but I personally have never liked metal watches. Wear something that suits you, not a status symbol on your arm.

I wear a thin G-Shock. I put it on in the morn to workout, and leave it on till I hit the hay. I also wear it face down, so you only see the clasp. I love the photo of Zegna a bit ago in his plain black watch with what is, no doubt, a $5,000 suit. The whole fashion watch thing is over for me. But I agree, reaching for a phone or player to get the time can be a bit crass. In a meeting or with friends I want to sneak a peek. Not drag something out.

Ugh, no. A watch should be beautiful, preferably quite simple. It is, and that ought to be visible, more closely related to your jewellery than to your lap top. If you need more than the convenient ability to tell the time, then forget the watch and buy some advanced electronic doodad. Or a flashy PA.

As an avid lover of watches, I feel there should be no restriction in regards to the size of the watch. Placing ego-type mannerisms to watches stereotypes the owner of the watch and discredits their personal style. Attention should be directed to the manner in which the watch is worn and how it corresponds with their look.

No, watches are not about time, it's about wearing a peace of technical mastery, condensed into a few – hopefully beautiful – cubic inches. Of course nobody needs them, you'll find watches everywhere in the street, not talking about your cellular device. But hey, that's what luxury is all about, isn't it?

I'm a 24 year old guy and have never in my life worn a watch. Maybe it's because of my generation- growing up with phones and devices with the time on them as you said in the post. Doesn't make sense to wear one. They're annoying. They do look good on some individuals though.

This guy exudes 'cool.' I love his watch, i think it's just-perfect. I'm a woman who wears a classic Longines male watch that my father passed down to me. I get compliments about it all the time because It's not the typical feminine watch that you see most women wearing. It's simple, classic and clean and something about it screams quiet sophistication. Flashy doesn't always mean better. Bigger doesn't always mean more :>

The flick or quick turn of the wrist to see the time on the dial always makes me think of my father. To me he represented all that was cool and grown up about being an adult man. He owned the same watch for years that he had to wind up. Even when we gave him a new one one Christmas he continued wearing the old one after wearing the new watch for show to make us happy. His was a simple dial with an elasticized metal band. He's gone now but this picture and the watch took me back to once upon a time…Thank you.

As a man I find the vast majority of big watches to be too big for the wearer. The watch should complement the wrist, not conquer it. I love vintage-style analog watches and especially military style field watches, weather they're expensive or modestly priced.

I really think it depends on the outfit. Simple and vintage is great with the right outfit, while I do have a weakness for one of the big complicated numbers peaking out from the cuff of a great shirt with a somber suit as a bit of a contrast.

I think, it really depends on the occasion. I am a watch collector and I don't tend to wear a vintage leather strap watch if I am in my t-short and shorts – I will wear something a bit chuncky or sporty (like my Rolex Sea Dweller or my new acquired Panerai). But if I am in the office wearing a full 3 piece, wearing a leather strap watch seems to be a given. I don't wear much jewelery beside a ring, so wearing a watch for most men do spell what their personality or taste are like in a very subtle way if you are in the know. Sometimes I see people wearing clothes that are very casual (e.g riped Ts or shorts) but their watch tells me that they don't really give a damn what they really look like when they dress down. They are wearing a £10K watch and they don't mind letting lose on their appearence, but subtly telling you that they appreciate good design/style

I love a man with a great watch. I don't know what it is but I always seem to respect a (classy) watch wearer more. That said, I'd rather no watch to a cheap watch. I think it's how I've been brought up with Omegas and Cartier watches. As a woman though, I love to wear a mans Omega watch. It looks wonderful with a blazer. Large watches, whilst fantastic, are more difficult to wear because they must be appropriate for the outfit as they get so much attention.

it definitely doesn't matter what the watch looks like or if he's wearing one. a huge sparkly one could be a fake anyways. A large attention-seeking watch is actually less attractive, because it seems he's trying to show off.

I like a nice watch, if it fits the outfit being worn. Personally, I don't like super-chunky watches that much. A nice, simple, elegant watch face that tells time is all I need. I do think that its important to have a different watch for different occasions, like a casual watch and a dress watch.

I love a guy with a nice Rolex, Cartier, Omega, etc. I like the watches that are elegant with a twist and not over the top crystalized gaudy and enormous. Watches can be over designed and too heavy. Plus when you invest in a high quality watch it becomes an heirloom.

Oooh my, big watches? What an ENORMOUS turnoff. And I'm surrounded by them here in France–though perhaps a tiny bit less so since President Bling Bling has been so mocked! Ps. As a redhead, I'm psyched to see such a handsome fellow here! We're usually not so represented…

To answer your question: as a woman of fashion exposure and love for beautiful things I notice nice watches, no matter what the size. I look, then I admire. But there are some situations in which I see the panerai, automatically think the guy is displaying his wealth, take a closer look and lose all attraction that may have been there to begin with. It's kind of like seeing a bald man in a convertible that doesn't look good on him. So, Yes, I think it is more a success display… unless of course it is a true fit and the wearer appreciates the workmanship as much as anyone should.

I am not a huge fan of accessories on men, unless when they are timeless, classic pieces. Large, diamond-encrusted, space-y watches on men are just plain distracting and annoying. I'm not sure how I feel about metal bands because it just looks so heavy. There's something warm and sensuous about leather that makes watches with leather bands extra sexy.

Perhaps it's different in europe but I have not noticed a trend towards ridiculously large watches here in north america. quite the opposite, men aren't wearing watches at all anymore! they all rely on their stupid gadgety cellphones for the time, and its so frustrating to feel like asking someone for the time is causing them a huge inconveniance, as they fumble in their pockets for it. next on my list is a nice watch, with a brown leather strap and a classic face.

big watches are just a waste of money and they are really, but I mean REALLY inatractive. I usually like the 'normal' size classic watches with a nice brand like hermes, rolex, chopard or something like that. PLEASE MEN dont buy big watches!!

just on the issue of watch bands, gentlemen… the round vintage watch the man is wearing would have looked genius with a two-tone woven wrist strap such as the one James Bond wore in Goldfinger or a red with a white middle stripe band.

i love this question! i have such a "thing" about watches. i can tell instantly if i'm going to have a lasting attraction to a man by the watch he is wearing. it has to look like the watch is for him and not for anyone else–meaning not because he thinks it will impress those in his office, or because he thinks it makes him look cool, etc. so my take on the whole "big" watch thing is…no–i don't like it all, because "overcompensation" hits the nail on the head.

A few thoughts, firstly different guys will where the same watch for different reasons. In design terms, I have found recent larger watches slightly lacking in quality versus more conventional alternatives. Also, so much of (clothing) style can be combinations, that a recognisable timepiece can ground more eccentric sartorial variations.

I also feel that Blackberries are more vulgar than most timepieces (save ceramic-white Chanel), and phones, in general, will not be essential accessories in future. Indeed trend-leaders will soon not use one at all, choosing instead to limit technology's expansion into personal space -and an automatic watch is far more satisfying. Anyone for an iFob?

I think watches on men are a bit like shoes on women. Men don't really notice our shoes, we don't particularly care about the men's watches. But other women notice our shoes, and other boys notice each other's watches ;)

I personally like watches that aren't way out of proportion, so moderation is key.

DEFinitely overcompensation … for a multitude of things. For me, it's kind of the same as the status sportscars or SUV's that both men & women feel the need to sport around. "look at me!! look at me!!" … blech!

Men with gaudy watches seem too showy. A medium sized watch works perfectly- especially if it fits snugly- I prefer about 1/4 up the forearm. I think a good size-guide is: for men, the size of a large women's watch- for women, the size of a small men's watch. …

I love watches because they are such a fabulously classic accessory, and yet they are so unique to every individual. They can be expressly feminine or completely masculine. A gaudy watch begins to blur that line, which I tend not to appreciate in accessories.

Well, I got my husband a Tag for his 50th birthday as symbol of our time together (duh!) and he wore it for six years. It made me notice his very sexy, developed, tanned forearm (he was a golfer.) Then, it broke one day while he was wearing it and it fell off his arm without notice. (Someone probably has a nice Tag today since it was only a strap problem!) I miss seeing it on him. It was sexy. Sort of confident and older – not trying to be 30-something – he was owning his era – when men wore watches. (even though he has an iphone.)

I really never like big watches on men, though I love wearing a big brushed metal watch on my wrist. It immediately makes me feel more effortless, and I love playing with how delicate a woman's wrist can look with a big men's watch and a flowy, looser top. Coincidently, that's why I don't like them on men. Worn fitting they look stuffy, worn loose they look like waifs. My favorite thing about the surfer hippy look popular at my college was hemp and leather bracelets on men, this has translated to some nice understated watch designs that feel rugged and adventurer-ish in the summer.

Yes, big watches on guys are a passé symbol of money, money , money. Over-compensation in spades. After our giganzo financial meltdown, I don't think they'll be in style much longer — even in Europe. I think you're right to single that trend out as ripe for revision.

The dude here is an authentic-looking hetero dude. As refreshing as his drinks. His ink side-tracked me temporarily. A little hokey. The watch attests to the fact that he will always identify with the carrot-top he was as a kid. The pale puce shade of his shirt is a perfect color counterpoint to the rust/orange.

In my humble opinion it depends on how you were raised, I was raised in an aristocratic family (and I hated it) were the watch is merely something used to tell time. It is neither big, bold or something that instantly attracts the eye but more subtle, elegant and chic. Something that you comfortably can spend money on knowing that it will last your whole life and work with any outfit. My grand-father for example has the most stunning Patek Philipe watch, a simple gold one with a black leather strap and it has throughout my life been the only item that has made me feel safe in life. It is not even remotely close to being big and thats what I like about it! My grand-mother always said: Big egos… big accessories! Meaning the bigger the watch the bigger the ego!

I always say, "If a man wears a watch, it means he is reliable." However too big of a watch is unattractive and does feel like he is overcompensating. I don't want the jewelry I am wearing to be upstaged by a man's accessory.

The shape of the watch is imperative. My essential watch is a Hamilton Ventura. It was the first battery-powered timepiece. And its triangular, sci-fi inspired shape has never been copied. An American original.

Size doesn't matter. But it can't be for fashion. I like a man in a plain classic style that he wears on a daily basis for years, or a sporty style because he actually does something, like scuba diving.

Doesn't have to be expensive but it needs to be sturdy. The $10 special from the drug store doesn't cut it.

A good watch acts as an thoughtful accent, completing a look but nothing more. As such, it may be larger or smaller depending on the context. If ever it becomes the focus of an outfit then the effect is lost.

I love how the orange band pops against his shirt. A little goes a long way.

on the contrary. i think watches on men are good just in case i need someone to tell me the time, but the big silver ones that are so popular these days have just become way too symbolic of materialism and corporatism. i would be more attracted to a wrist with a leather strap and a thin gold-rimmed face. something old, worn and grandaddy. that's character! however i hope it would be attached to someone young, smart and gorgeous!

watches like the Hublot Big Bang and the Audemars Piguet Offshore collection are very popular in europe nowadays. It is true that smaller men look kind of funny with these watches on but on the right person they can bring a look to a whole new level

I am italian and I hate big watches. Especially if the are plastics and colored. It is a very inelegant attitude coming from tv self called "idols" and soccer player. Here we call these kind of people "tamarri".A watch has to be proportioned with the wrist. My is tiny and I have a rolex datejust. Anyway watch companies lately have started to increase the size of their watches and I don't undertsnd why. Just compare, for instance, the sizes of an omega speeedmaster made in the seventies (the moonwatch) and those fabricated today.

Like with my own watches, I believe men's watches should be the right size for their wrist. The huge and exaggerate look has begun to look ridiculous and very cliche as of lately and this this understated classy look is very apealing at least to me.

Small vintage watches are lovely, but, personally, I need a watch with a bigger face, so I can read it without having to change to my reading glasses, just to see the time. Pratical aspects will intrude (similar analysis possible for ladies' shoes…do love strappy high heels, but oh the pain, simply can't do it); something to keep in mind, when evaluating what we see on other people.

My husband & I were laughing at the big, trendy watches when we were at dinner at a trendy restaurant. Just next to our table were two men who sported HUGE, watches. We had not noticed this trend, but once we did – they were EVERYWHERE. My husband wears a purposefully, sensible Omega & I wear a 1952 Bulova (it was my Dads & it keeps Perfect time). Needless to say – NOT a fan of the big, clunky watch style. (Nor really the major foul language that kept wafting over to our table from the Big Watch Guys.) AND FYI – we felt that we maybe deserved the not-so-great dining experience at the trendy restaurant (loud music, big watches on loud, foul-mouthed customers) & haven't been back to that specific establishment.

Just an observation. I wear a large but not gigantic Omega, and almost every woman I next to cannot resist touching it. Sometimes i ask them if they want to try it on, and their expression is that of a 5yr old Christmas morning! Men have so few pieces of jewellery they can wear without feeling feminine, and women appreciate the weight and power of truly masculine and tastefull pieces that adhere to the "form follows function" ideal.

This guy's watch is perfect. I only like a man's watch if I would wear it myself. This one I would wear. My husband doesn't wear a watch, and I respect him for it. I wear the men's watches in his stead.

But to the question: I prefer a man with a watch that says, 'function'. There's nothing more unattractive than gaudiness. This might be because I'm a student of history and there's little gaudiness in the community of young historians (we're all very poor). In fact, I have an old pocket watch from my grandfather that I gave to my guy friend almost as a joke. But now he's using it, because his phone broke and he can't afford a new one.

A big watch doesn't always seem wrong. My father loves timepieces. For his 50th birthday my mother bought him a beautiful Breitling. When he wears it, he wears it with such pride and joy. It's pretty damn cute.

there's something nice and mature about a modest leather watch on a man… but its not something i particularly take note of. the guy in question, however, i definitely would. wayfarers, tatoo and coffee seal the deal ;)

Can't we ask the same question about designer 'IT' bags? I find it most unappealing seeing women walk around with bags that they can hardly lift, let alone, carry for the sake of it being an 'IT' bag. It's all in the way and why you buy what you do. If you buy it purely because you love it, then fine. If you buy it for it to act as a status symbol – something is wrong. I suppose you can say that about life really. Do, buy, be what you love … not because it allows you some form of status.x

THANK YOU! I am so sick of these giant watches. I have to wear a suit most days and regularly type on keyboards. Those watches simply don't work. I still bemoan the loss of a little Swiss watch I bought in the '80s that was really handsome and sat perfectly flat on my wrist.

shiny sporty car? Isn't it an overcompensation as well?I think it is not about his watch, or not only about his watch… it is more about his watch, his tatoo and his beard… And what about watch – fine simplicity requires a personality – not everyone has it ;)

Very outstanding these days, indeed. Every watch with more than 40mm diameter looks like taken out af a hip hop video. Penis enlargement.I doubt that there`s a watch more stylish than a 36 mm Rolex Explorer.

i am particularly drawn to the various sizes of his starbucks takeout. the grande or perhaps venti iced tea is perfectly pared with his watch band. in addition, the tea seems to have been steeped to order as it bears great similarity to the gentlemen's natural hair colour. pedestrian… however prodigious.

Real men love watches. Watches are not simply about the time. Take a second to look at the inner working of a J. Lange & Sohne or even a simple Dornbluth and you'll see what I mean. These watches are manual wind ups, and you can flip them over when you're home alone together and admire all those wonderful whirling dials! What better way to get in touch with your sartorial self. PDAs and iPods? Bahhhh, you've got a thing or two to learn about sartorial, methinks…

I find it 'complete' when a man is wearing a watch. I was raised by a mother who did not have that much in terms of material things but she always always wore (and wear) a watch and a pair of lovely earrings. She kept telling me when i was little, forget the bag, forget the hanky, never mind the shoes or your shirt…WEAR your watch and clip on your earrings. It will complete you. It stuck of course and on my wedding, i gave my husband a wrist watch as a gift. He's worn it ever since :D heaven !!

Love big, chunky diver's watches. No diamonds and all of that jazz, but 43 to 48mm. Funny, hardly any women complain about huge, monstrous trucks and SUV's or hand bags, and nobody decries the 'functionality' of 5 inch stiletto heels, yet a 'big' watch is a problem.

I know I’m a bit late to the conversation, but matching your watch to your wardrobe is an artform. It’s one of the few pieces of jewelry a man can pull off, and doing it properly is much harder than most realize.

-This is a well-dressed man and the watch totally compliments the color of his hair and the face his shirt. The key point here is that he totally coordinated his entire outfit. Being that he matched his watch band to his hair, he can probably wear it with a lot of different things.
-Coordination is key. Generally, leather bands don’t go well with t-shirts and shorts. Steel bands don’t go well with suits.
-As a general rule: anything watch over 40mm is too big no matter how big of an arm we are talking about.
-Watches are a status symbol, of which the significance greatly depends on specific social circles and micro cultures. For these people many times the only thing that matters is price, not really how it looks or matches. Rolex is probably the largest offender to this regard.
-My favorites include the classic offerings from Patek Philippe , Piaget, Jaeger Lecoultre, or Vacherine and Constantin.

Dont really get the new piggy watch era. if its a fashion thing, have fun with it. I’m more with the older group that just wants a reliable, tough and simple watch under 40mm. If it gets misted up after going for a swim, I’ll give it away.

I’m the guy that will wear a wife beater with a pair of good Levis with some good wear and some docs. Neo 50s type hairstyle and I’m covered in tattoos so my sleeves and chest piece get looks already that some might call trashy, i top it all off with either my PAM 372 or Graham Chronofighter. For me, it’s the style piece. 90% of the people I talk to have no clue my watch is as expensive as their cars in some cases, nor do I care. I like showing the depth of my character in subtle ways to those who are perceptive enough to pick up on it.

I have this page bookmarked and from time to time I like to refresh my memory about this example of a perfect watch and a lovely strap. The rest of this guy’s style is of lesser importance to me, but the watch has been an instant hit.

The upper size limit for a watch of good taste is 40 mm, I have not yet seen an exemption to this rule. Atop of that, if it’s accompanied with proportionate thickness, color (gold/steel), shape and style of hands/dial, then you have a watch for all occassions, formal and informal, day and night. I am talking about men’s watches and age 30+, and only about the first visual impression. Other factors of a good watch are something that would need a much longer discussion.